Running Bloggers Survey

I know I already posted this morning but wanted to join in on the Running Bloggers Survey as well!

Best Run Ever

That would be my first run ever...The 40th Stage Coach Run in Jacksonville Oregon.  It was my first official race after my cancer, surgery and treatment.  I felt so accomplished after I crossed that finish line.

Three Words That Describe My Running

Obsession...Accomplished...Empowering...

My Go-To Running Outfit

Compression capri's I got from Old Navy, running bra, new uber berry Reebok flex shoes, and usually a running tank of some kind.

I Won’t Run Outside When It’s…

 Hot and humid as it makes me sick to my stomach and last year I got heat exhaustion from it.

Worst Injury – And How I Got Over It

My pelvic stress fracture I sustained last year while training for my 1st half, which I had to miss.  I took the whole summer off from running and most walking, stayed in bed when needed and pretty much just swam all summer long. I was able to start taking walks sometime in August I think, and then started to run again in November...I am back to normal now!

I Felt Most Like a Badass Runner When…

I completely killed my 1st ever PR by over 4 minutes...I also felt like a Bad Ass my last race (1st race post injury) when I beat my Pr by 28 seconds.

Potential Running Goal for 2013

 To complete my half marathon training without injury and run the race in September.

My Next Race Is…

At this time that would be my half marathon in September, but we runners know this could change in the blink of an eye. 

Now go over and link up with Kelly The Culinarian and have fun with the survey. 

Godspeed...this comes from the Middle English expression "God spede (you)", a wish for success and fortune for one setting out on an enterprise, voyage, adventure, or travels. It may also mean good luck. "Limitations only exist if you let them" © 2013 Shannon M. King. This publication is the exclusive property of Shannon M. King and is protected under the US Copyright Act of 1976 and all other applicable international, federal, state and local laws. The contents of this post/story may not be reproduced as a whole or in part, by any means whatsoever, without consent of the author, Shannon M. King. All rights reserved.

New 5k PR Post Injury

NEW PR for me post injury...I think we will start with Thursday night to give you a little back ground on how the week was going sleep wise.

My stomach had been bothering me all day Thursday for some odd reason so I didn't sleep too well that night. On Friday morning my mom and I drove to Medford to pick up my race bib and race goodies and then stopped off to have lunch at Red Robin. (yum) I had a headache and took some acetaminophen while waiting for our food to arrive.  I ordered the Banzai burger, sans the meat and cheese and with a gluten free bun. It's nice to know I can go there and get a meat and dairy free option.  When our lunch came I could only eat half the sandwich (it was amazingly good) and a few of the fries.  I spent the last half of the day in angony with an upset stomach and headache.  I am sure it had nothing to do with the food and everything to do with my neck and the acetaminophen I took.

I have chronic neck pain from an accident I was in many years ago.  I am used to dealing with migraines from my neck muscles that were injured. That being said I wish it had picked another day to rear its ugly head.  I slept fitfully Friday night read off and on if at all and awoke around 4 a.m. but stayed in bed until 5 a.m.  After getting up and around my stomach was still not happy so I only drank a tiny bit of water and ate a couple bites of a protein bar.  We left around 6 a.m. and arrived in plenty of time to warm up although I never got around to it.  My friends, D and J, from the running group found me and we were able to start the race together. I made sure to tell them both that I would be abandoning them early on but not to worry I would be waiting at the finish line to cheer them on. They already told me this was going to happen and that it was okay with them.

The race started on time and we were off.  J was running her first ever 5k and started off fast, (we told her the adrenaline and excitement would make her faster) D and I ran together for about a minute before I headed into the fray of the crowd.  I was soon zig-zagging in and out of the runners trying to make a path for myself.  I didn't want to trip anyone or get tripped for that matter.  You know how these things happen.  

Mile one went by fast as did mile 2 especially since the half way mark came sooner than I remembered it coming last year.  (That's good right?) All of the sudden here I am running trying to catch my breath around the 2.8 mile mark and out of no where a man passes me with a jogging stroller...oy vey! I am now highly incensed that I have been passed by a baby...so I pick up my speed and start picking off runners left and right.  (In all actuality I am just trying to pass the guy with the stroller, sadly I never do) 

I can hear the crowd cheering at the finish line and take off at a sprint, and look down to see that my timer reads 28:50 something.  I am actually going to beat 30 minutes and I feel elation...soon after that I hear my name announced as I cross the finish line in 29:47:1 (according to my timer) I never looked at the race clock so I don't know my official time, just that it was 29 something.  My sons face says it all, he is standing there with a big grin that makes me feel like a Bada$$ Mother Runner and maybe even a hero. 

(Last year it read 30:13)

I hug my mama, daughter and son and feel like I have accomplished something great.  It may only be a race to some of you but this was a huge milestone for me.  It proved that I can still run, my injury is healed, and I can do anything I set my mind to. I am back and I thank God for getting me through this last year of injury and frustration, not to mention heart-break. I am sore today but it's a good kind of sore.  I am proud of my legs for getting me across that finish line strong, and I'm proud of my heart and mind for knowing I could do it. J and D both finished strong and I am so proud of them.  I am looking forward to running with them again very soon.

J, me and D post race

Blessings and hugs to all who came by today.  May your day be a blessed one.

Godspeed...this comes from the Middle English expression "God spede (you)", a wish for success and fortune for one setting out on an enterprise, voyage, adventure, or travels. It may also mean good luck. "Limitations only exist if you let them" © 2013 Shannon M. King. This publication is the exclusive property of Shannon M. King and is protected under the US Copyright Act of 1976 and all other applicable international, federal, state and local laws. The contents of this post/story may not be reproduced as a whole or in part, by any means whatsoever, without consent of the author, Shannon M. King. All rights reserved.

New Running Style...For Now

Hello there everyone...Happy Thursday!

I have decided to go ahead and start doing run/walk intervals instead of just running the entire time, mainly because my body seems to like this style better.  I have been trying to channel my old self (pre-injury) and it just has not been working out, at all.  I so want to be back where I was before my pelvic stress fracture, but I now realize I am just not that person or runner any longer.

I am coming to terms with the realization I am where I'm at in my running and that where I'm at is a good place.  I don't have to compete with my old self any longer.  I have joined a ladies running group here in my home town and my first run is Sunday the 24th.  These ladies are doing the C25K in preparation for The Pear Blossom Run in Medford, Oregon in April.  I figured it would be good to just get back into the habit of running even though I can run a 5k already...it is all good!

I am okay with the new me...the plant based diet is going great and my heart definitely loves it, life is Great at this time.  The exception is that my son was in an accident last Saturday and was run off the road by a truck while he and his brother were long-boarding near our house.  We took him to the ER and found that he broke his collar bone and injured his shoulder and may need surgery.  Please keep him in your prayers, he is home and will see surgeon Friday.  Blessings and hugs to you all! 

*Black Knight if you are reading this let me know how you are doing as I could not comment on your posts. Hope you are doing well my friend*  

Godspeed...this comes from the Middle English expression "God spede (you)", a wish for success and fortune for one setting out on an enterprise, voyage, adventure, or travels. It may also mean good luck. "Limitations only exist if you let them" © 2012 Shannon M. King. This publication is the exclusive property of Shannon M. King and is protected under the US Copyright Act of 1976 and all other applicable international, federal, state and local laws. The contents of this post/story may not be reproduced as a whole or in part, by any means whatsoever, without consent of the author, Shannon M. King. All rights reserved.